State Requirement Summary

North Dakota Boat Registration Number Requirements

Boats registered in North Dakota display an ND-prefixed number such as ND 1234 AB. North Dakota calls for characters 3 inches, excluding border, trim, outline or shading high in plain vertical block letters, reading left to right, contrasting color, positioned each side of the forward half near the bow. Our lettering is designed to meet the displayed North Dakota size and formatting requirements. The state itself issues the validation/expiration decal — we supply the registration-number lettering.

Boat number requirements

Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026

Assigned number example

ND 1234 AB

Minimum character height: 3 inches, excluding border, trim, outline or shading
Lettering style: Plain vertical block letters
Contrast: Contrasting color
Spacing / separator: Space or hyphen equivalent to the width of the letter M
Reading direction: Left to right
Number location: Each side of the forward half near the bow
Validation decal: Within 6 inches of the number, TOWARD THE REAR of the boat
State agency: North Dakota Game and Fish Department

What we sell vs. what the state issues: RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering, designed to meet the displayed North Dakota size and formatting requirements. North Dakota Game and Fish Department issues the official validation/expiration decal — and any separate stickers such as aquatic-invasive-species, mussel-awareness, carbon-monoxide or lake-protection stickers, which are not interchangeable with each other.

Design your ND numbers

Starts with the North Dakota format (ND 1234 AB). Tap the decal and type your own assigned number exactly as it appears on your certificate of number.

Tap the decal to edit

Decal color

We supply the registration-number lettering, sized to the displayed North Dakota requirements. North Dakota Game and Fish Department issues the validation decal.

North Dakota placement diagram

Both sides of the hull carry the number. The grey square marks where the state-issued validation decal goes — within 6 inches of the number, toward the rear of the boat.

Port side — bow to the left

Starboard side — bow to the right

Height: 3 inches, excluding border, trim, outline or shading, plain vertical block letters
Spacing: Space or hyphen equivalent to the width of the letter M
Location: Each side of the forward half near the bow
Validation decal: Within 6 inches of the number, TOWARD THE REAR of the boat

Diagram is illustrative. Confirm exact positioning against the instructions issued with your North Dakota registration.

Official source

North Dakota Game and Fish Department — Official state publication. Last verified August 22, 2026 (source check 2026-08-22).

North Dakota Game and Fish Department — Boating

Registration requirements can change. RegistrationDecals.com summarizes publicly available boating-registration requirements to help boat owners select and display registration numbers. Always compare your registration and decals with the current instructions issued by your state boating or registration agency before applying them to your vessel.

North Dakota rules in detail

Assigned number format

North Dakota assigns numbers in the pattern ND 1234 AB, using the ND prefix. The state explicitly excludes decorative outline and shading from the 3-inch measurement.

Minimum character height

North Dakota specifies characters 3 inches, excluding border, trim, outline or shading high. Measure the character body itself — if the state excludes borders, outlines or shading, decorative trim does not count toward the minimum.

Required lettering style

Plain vertical block letters, reading left to right. Script, italic and decorative treatments are not what this style describes.

Contrast requirement

Contrasting color. In practice that means dark characters on a light hull and light characters on a dark hull, checked in daylight from the side of the vessel.

Spacing and separator

Space or hyphen equivalent to the width of the letter M. Example: ND 1234 AB. Running the groups together with no separation does not match the stated format.

Placement on the hull

Each side of the forward half near the bow. No other numbers in the area.

Validation decal placement

Within 6 inches of the number, TOWARD THE REAR of the boat. The validation or expiration decal is issued by North Dakota Game and Fish Department — RegistrationDecals.com supplies the registration-number lettering only.

Common mistakes

Ordering the number without the ND prefix or the suffix letters.
Characters shorter than the stated minimum (3 inches, excluding border, trim, outline or shading) so they fit inside a narrow accent stripe.
Using a script, italic or shadowed style instead of plain vertical block letters.
Losing the required separation between the groups — space or hyphen equivalent to the width of the letter M.
Placing the state validation decal somewhere other than the position North Dakota describes: within 6 inches of the number, TOWARD THE REAR of the boat.

Frequently asked questions

What does a North Dakota boat registration number look like?

North Dakota numbers follow the pattern ND 1234 AB, using the ND prefix, a numeral group, and suffix letters.

How tall do North Dakota boat registration numbers have to be?

3 inches, excluding border, trim, outline or shading, measured on the character itself, in plain vertical block letters.

What lettering style does North Dakota require?

Plain vertical block letters, reading left to right, and contrasting color.

How much space goes between the letters and numbers in North Dakota?

Space or hyphen equivalent to the width of the letter M. Example: ND 1234 AB.

Where do the numbers go on the boat in North Dakota?

Each side of the forward half near the bow. No other numbers in the area.

Where does the North Dakota validation decal go?

Within 6 inches of the number, TOWARD THE REAR of the boat. The decal itself is issued by North Dakota Game and Fish Department; we supply the registration-number lettering.

Who regulates boat registration numbers in North Dakota?

North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Confirm the current instructions issued with your registration before applying anything to your hull. Last regulatory review: August 22, 2026.

Can I order North Dakota boat registration numbers online?

Yes. Enter your assigned ND number in the designer on this page, pick a color that contrasts with your hull, and we cut a matched port-and-starboard pair and ship it to the 48 contiguous states.

Do I need two sets of North Dakota registration numbers?

You need the number displayed on both sides of the vessel — each side of the forward half near the bow — so every order ships as a matched port-and-starboard pair.

Related guides

Ready to design your ND numbers?

Our designer starts with plain block characters and proper group spacing, so you can see exactly how ND 1234 AB will read on your hull before you order.

Source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department · Official state publication · Primary — 2026–2028 state boating guide · Source last checked 2026-08-22.